Automated determination of applicability and value of discounts for a purchase order

ABSTRACT

A method for automatically determining applicability and value of any discounts for a purchase order from a client computer, the determinations being made by the client computer itself. In some embodiments, the client computer receives (from a server to which the order is being placed) coupon programming, determines applicability and value of discounts using the coupon programming, and sends discount information for an order to the server. The coupon programming may comprise a rule engine, implemented by rule programming, having one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. The rule engine may comprise a recursive rule program. In some embodiments, the applicability and value of any discounts for an order is determined by a server that receives the order, the determinations being made by using a rule engine implemented by rule programming.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards automated determination of applicability and value of any discounts for a purchase order.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Product purchases made through the Internet (e.g., via the World Wide Web) have increased rapidly with the growing popularity of the Internet. On-line retail ordering allows users to conveniently place orders for products from a client computer. For example, users can order products from a seller's Web site by submitting a purchase order to the seller's server which receives and processes the purchase order.

Often, a seller will encourage sales of products by promoting (e.g., through websites, newspaper advertisements, etc.) particular types of discounts offered by the seller. For example, a discount type where the user gets 15% off the total price of an order if the user spends over $100 may be promoted. Typically the applicability and value of any discounts for a purchase order is determined by the server upon receiving the order from the client computer. However, whenever the user changes the order before confirming the order, updated order information must be sent to the server, the server must re-determine applicability and value of any discount types for the order, and this information must re-sent back to the client computer. Thus, the conventional process for determining applicability and value of any discount types for an order is typically inefficient and requires multiple accesses to the server and multiple computations by the server.

As such, there is a need for a more efficient method for determining applicability and value of any discount types for an order received from a client computer. There is also a need for an efficient method for determining applicability and value of complex discount schemes for an order, for example, where applicability of a single discount type is difficult to determine or where multiple discount types may apply for a single purchase order.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for automatically determining (without human intervention) applicability of any discount types and the value of any applicable discount types for a purchase order from a client computer is provided. In some embodiments, the client computer is used by a user to interact with a server to submit a purchase order for one or more products to the server. In some embodiments, the client computer is used to submit a coupon code to the server whereby the server retrieves particular coupon programming instructions based on the coupon code and sends the coupon programming instructions to the client computer. Using the coupon programming, the client computer determines applicability and value of one or more discount types for a purchase order being made by a user from the client computer. If the client computer receives updated order information from the user, the client computer re-computes the applicability and value of any discount types for the purchase order using the coupon programming. If the client computer receives an order confirmation from the user, the client computer sends the order information/data and the determined discount information/data associated with the purchase order to the server.

In some embodiments, the set of coupon programming instructions comprises a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. In some embodiments, the one or more sets of rules of the rule engine comprises one or more sets of primary rules and one or more sets of secondary rules. In some embodiments, each discount type has an associated set of primary rules and an associated set of secondary rules where the associated set of primary rules is used to determine applicability of the discount type and the associated set of secondary rules is used to determine a discount value for the discount type, wherein the set of secondary rules is called for processing if the discount type is determined to be applicable by the set of primary rules. In some embodiments, the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program.

In some embodiments, the applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order is determined by a server that receives the order, the determination being made using a rule engine implemented by rule programming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a network environment in which the present invention operates.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for a client-side method for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by the client computer itself.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a server-side method for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by the client computer itself.

FIG. 4 illustrates a conceptual diagram of the processes of a rule engine.

FIG. 5 shows a conceptual example of sets of rules associated with two discount types.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a general discount method for a purchase order.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a recursive discount applicability method called by the general discount method of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a recursive discount value method called by the recursive discount applicability method of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for an alternative client-side method for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by a server connected with the client computer using a rule-based approach.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for an alternative server-side method for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by a server connected with the client computer using a rule-based approach.

FIG. 11 presents a computer system with which some embodiments of the invention are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail.

A method for automatically determining (without human intervention) applicability of any discount types and the value of any applicable discount types for a purchase order from a client computer is provided. In some embodiments, the client computer is used by a user to interact with a server to submit a purchase order for one or more products to the server. In some embodiments, the client computer is used to submit a coupon code to the server whereby the server retrieves particular coupon programming instructions based on the coupon code and sends the coupon programming instructions to the client computer. Using the coupon programming, the client computer determines applicability and value of one or more discount types for a purchase order being made by a user from the client computer. If the client computer receives updated order information from the user, the client computer re-computes the applicability and value of any discount types for the purchase order using the coupon programming. If the client computer receives an order confirmation from the user, the client computer sends the order information/data and the determined discount information/data associated with the purchase order to the server.

In some embodiments, the set of coupon programming instructions comprises a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. In some embodiments, the one or more sets of rules of the rule engine comprises one or more sets of primary rules and one or more sets of secondary rules. In some embodiments, each discount type has an associated set of primary rules and an associated set of secondary rules where the associated set of primary rules is used to determine applicability of the discount type and the associated set of secondary rules is used to determine a discount value for the discount type, wherein the set of secondary rules is called for processing if the discount type is determined to be applicable by the set of primary rules. In some embodiments, the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program.

In some embodiments, the applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order is determined by a server that receives the order, the determination being made using a rule engine implemented by rule programming.

Several embodiments are described below in relation to a multimedia application through which a client computer can submit a purchase order for photo prints to a server connected with the client computer. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, will realize that the processes of the invention can relate to any application executing on a client computer that interfaces with a server.

Network Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a network environment 100 in which the present invention operates. The environment 100 includes a network 105 (such as a LAN, WAN, the Internet, an Intranet, etc.) connecting a plurality of client computers 110 and a plurality of server computers 125.

A client computer 110 may be any form of device that is configured to interface with a network 105 and to send and receive data to and from a server 125. Examples of client computers 110 are desktop computers, laptop computers, server computers, portable computing devices (such as personal data assistants or cellular phones), etc. The client computer 110 typically executes an application 115 that interfaces with the network 105 and interacts with a server 125 to send and retrieve data to and from the server 125.

In some embodiments, the application 115 is configured to perform the methods of the present invention. Examples of applications 115 include web browsers, multimedia applications, etc. As an example, the client computer 110 may execute a multimedia application for editing, managing, and publishing photos and ordering photo prints or other products from a server, the application having a custom interface with the server for exchanging data. An example of such a multimedia application is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/042,944, filed Jan. 6, 2002, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Image Acquisition, Organization, Manipulation, and Publication,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,247, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the client computer 110 is used by a user to interact with a server 125 to submit a purchase order for one or more products. In some embodiments, the client computer 110 is also used to submit a coupon code to the server and receive coupon programming from the server based on the coupon code. The coupon code is typically made known to the user through promotions (e.g., through websites, newspaper advertisements, etc.) and is associated with one or more discount types that are also made known to the user through the promotions. Using order information/data associated with the order, product information/data associated with one or more products in the order, and the received coupon programming, the client computer then determines applicability and value of any discount types associated with the order and sends discount and purchase order information/data to the server.

In some embodiments, a server computer 125 includes a storage structure 130 containing data and/or executable programming instructions. A server 125 may be accessed by multiple client computers 110 that request and receive data and/or executable programming instructions from the server. The server 125 may execute a client-management application 135 that receives requests from client computers, retrieves requested data and/or instructions from the storage 130, and sends the data and/or instructions to the client computers 110.

In some embodiments, the storage 130 of the server 125 contains product information/data for products available for ordering, sets of coupon programming instructions for determining applicability of any discount types related to a purchase order, and sets of coupon programming instructions for determining discount values for any applicable discount types. In some embodiments, each set of coupon programming instructions is associated with a particular discount type. In some embodiments, the server receives a coupon code from the client computer where the coupon code may have a single associated discount type (e.g., if the user buys three “5×7” prints, the user will receive a fourth “5×7” print for free) or two or more associated discount types (e.g., if the user buys three “5×7” prints, the user will receive a fourth “5×7” print for free and if the user spends $50 or more, the user will get $5 off the shipping price). Based on the received coupon code, the server retrieves all sets of coupon programming instructions for all discount types associated with the coupon code.

Client-Side Determination of Discounts

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for a client-side method 200 for automatically determining (without human intervention) applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by the client computer itself. The client-side method 200 may be implemented, for example, by a client computer and an application executing on the client computer, the client computer and application receiving input from a user. In some embodiments, the application is configured to perform the methods of the present invention.

The method 200 begins when it establishes (at 205) a connection (e.g., via a network) with a server to which the order is being sent. The method then receives (at 207) a coupon code from a user and sends the coupon code to the server. The coupon code is associated with one or more discount types. The method then receives (at 210) one or more sets of coupon programming instructions from the server based on the coupon code, the one or more sets of coupon programming instructions being associated with the one or more discount types (as discussed below in relation to FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, the coupon programming instructions comprise a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. In some embodiments, the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program implemented by rule programming. In some embodiments, the one or more sets of rules comprises a set of primary rules and a set of secondary rules, the set of primary rules being used to determine applicability of a particular discount type and the set of secondary rules being used to determine a discount value for the particular discount type, wherein the set of secondary rules is called for processing if the particular discount type is determined to be applicable by the set of primary rules.

As an optional step, the method also receives (at 215) product information/data from the server. Product information/data may include, for example, available product types and per item prices for each product type (e.g., “3×5” prints at $0.60 per print, “5×7” prints at $0.90 per print, photo albums at $6.99 per photo album, etc.), available shipping methods and prices, etc. The method loads (at 220) the set(s) of coupon programming instructions and identifies (at 225) available product information/data. In some embodiments, the product information is received (at 215) from the server. In other embodiments, the product information is contained in the application executing on the client computer.

The method then receives (at 230) purchase order information from the user. Purchase order information may include, for example, product types and the quantity for each product type desired by the user, the shipping method desired by the user, etc. For example, the purchase order information may comprise an order for six “3×5” prints, two “5×7” prints, and one photo album being delivered via express mail.

Using the order information associated with the order, product information associated with one or more products in the order, and the received set of coupon programming instructions, the method then determines (at 235) applicability of any discount types for the order and the value of any such applicable discounts (the information/data relating to such being referred to herein as determined discount information/data). In some embodiments, the method determines (at 235) discount applicability and value by applying a rule engine implemented by rule programming to the product and order information.

The method then determines (at 240) if any new purchase order information has been received from the user (for example, if the user decides to change the ordered quantity of a particular product). If so, the method re-determines (at 235) the applicability of any discount types for the order and the value of any such applicable discounts taking into account the new purchase order information. If not, the method determines (at 245) if a purchase order confirmation has been received from the user. If not, the method continues at step 240 where it checks for any new order information from the user.

If a purchase order confirmation has been received from the user (at 245—Yes), the method sends (at 250) the purchase order information and the determined discount information (i.e., applicability of any discount types and the value of any such applicable discounts) associated with the purchase order to the server. The method then ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a server-side method 300 for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by the client computer itself. The server-side method 300 may be implemented, for example, by a server computer connected with the client computer and a client-management application executing on the server computer. In some embodiments, the client-management application is configured to perform the methods of the present invention.

The method 300 begins when it establishes (at 305) a connection (e.g., via a network) with a client computer from which the order is received. The method then receives (at 310) a coupon code from the client computer, the coupon code being associated with one or more discount types. At step 315, the method then retrieves (e.g., from a storage structure of the server computer) one or more sets of coupon programming instructions (associated with the one or more discount types) based on the coupon code. The method 300 then sends (at 320) the retrieved set(s) of coupon programming instructions to the client computer. As an optional step, the method 300 also sends (at 325) product information (e.g., available product types and prices, available shipping methods and prices, etc.) to the client computer.

The method then receives (at 330) purchase order information (e.g., product types and the quantity for each product type desired by a user, shipping method desired by the user, etc.) and discount information (i.e., applicability of any discount types and the value of any such applicable discounts) associated with the purchase order from the client computer. The method then ends.

Set of Rules and Rule Engine

In some embodiments, the coupon programming instructions comprise a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. FIG. 4 illustrates a conceptual diagram of the processes of a rule engine 415. In some embodiments, the processes shown in FIG. 4 comprise step 235 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the rule engine 415 receives as input one or more sets of rules 405 (for determining applicability and value of discount types) and product and order information 410 for an order. Using these inputs, the rule engine outputs determined discount information 420 (i.e., determined applicability and value of any discount types associated with the order).

As discussed above, a coupon code has one or more associated discount types, each discount type having a corresponding set of coupon programming instructions that are used to determine applicability and value of the discount type. In some embodiments, each set of coupon programming instructions for an associated discount type comprises a set of primary rules and a set of secondary rules, the set of primary rules determining applicability of the discount type and the set of secondary rules determining the value of the discount type if it is applicable. Since a coupon code can have more than one associated discount type, the sets of rules 405 received by the rule engine 415 may comprise more than one set of primary rules and more than one set of secondary rules.

FIG. 5 shows a conceptual example of sets of rules 500 associated with two discount types, the sets of rules 500. In the example of FIG. 5, the two discount types are associated with the same coupon code and the sets of rules 500 are retrieved based on the coupon code and used by the rule engine 415. The sets of rules 500 comprise a first set of primary rules 504, a second set of primary rules 506, a first set of secondary rules 507, and a second set of secondary rules 509.

In the example of FIG. 5, the first set of primary rules 504 and the first set of secondary rules 507 are associated with the following first discount type: if the user purchases 10 or more items of product A, the user will get 2 items of product A for free (for example, where product A is a “5×7” print). The first discount type is identified and associated with the discount type identification number 10001 (DiscountTypeID#: 10001). The second set of primary rules 506 and the second set of secondary rules 509 are associated with the following second discount type: if the user spends $15 or more, the user will get 20% off the total price. The second discount type is identified and associated with the discount type identification number 10002 (DiscountTypeID#: 10002).

Each rule in the set of rules 500 comprises an antecedent/qualification (left hand side) 510 and an inference/consequence (right hand side) 520. A rule is processed by the rule engine that examines the qualification of the rule to determine if the qualification is true using the product and/or order information. If the qualification of the rule is found to be true, the inference of the rule is made/determined and examined. In some embodiments, an inference of a rule comprises another set of rules 540, a numerical value 530, or a combination of the two. For illustrative purposes, in FIG. 5, all numerical values 530 are shown in between quotation marks. As used herein, a numerical value is any number value that is presently known without requiring further processing of rules in the set of rules 500. In some embodiments, numerical values are set number values (e.g., “2”) or known number values derived from product or order information (e.g., “ProductAUnitPrice,” “Subtotal,” etc.).

If the antecedent of a rule is determined to be true and the inference of the rule contains a set of rules, the set of rules identified in the inference is called for processing by the rule engine. For example, for the rule (DiscountTypeID#=10001)---->DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice,” if the antecedent (DiscountTypeID#=10001) is determined to be true, the inference (DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice”) is made. Note that the inference contains another set of rules (Amount) and a numerical value (“ProductAUnitPrice”). As such, the Amount set of rules is called for processing. As shown in the example of FIG. 5, the Amount set of rules comprises one rule: ((DiscountTypeID#=10001) AND (“ProductAQuantity”>2))---->Amount=“2.” Since “ProductAUnitPrice” is a known value derived from product information, no set of rules are called for “ProductAUnitPrice.”

In general, the rule engine calls and processes rules in a set of primary rules to determine applicability of a discount type for an order. If the discount type is determined to be applicable, the rule engine calls and processes the set of secondary rules associated with the discount type to determine the value of the discount type for the order. In some embodiments, more than one discount type may be applicable for an order, and thus more than one set of primary rules and more than one set of secondary rules are processed by the rule engine for the order. In some embodiments, if more than one discount type is found to be applicable for the order, the total discount value for all discount types is also determined.

If the rule engine is processing a set of primary rules and reaches a numerical value inference indicating a discount type identification number (DiscountTypeID#), this indicates that the discount type associated with the discount type identification number is applicable to the purchase order. Thus, the set of secondary rules (identified by the DiscountTypeID#) associated with the discount type is then called and processed by the rule engine. In processing the set of secondary rules, if the rule engine reaches a numerical value inference indicating a discount value (DiscountValue), this numerical value indicates that the value of the particular discount type for the purchase order.

For example, for the primary rule: (ProductAQuantity≧10)---->DiscountTypeID#=“10001,” if the antecedent (ProductAQuantity≧10) is determined to be true, the inference (DiscountTypeID#=“10001”) is made. The numerical value 10001 indicates an applicable discount type (if the user purchases 10 or more items of product A, the user will get 2 items of product A for free). Since applicability of this discount type has been determined, the set of secondary rules associated with this discount type is then called for processing to determine the value of the discount type. As shown in FIG. 5, the DiscountTypeID#10001 set of rules comprises:

-   -   (DiscountTypeID#=10001)---->DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice”     -   Amount set of rules:         -   ((DiscountTypeID#=10001) AND             (“ProductAQuantity”>2))---->Amount=“2”             Rule Engine as a Recursive Program

As described above, the rule engine continues to call and process rules in a set of primary and secondary rules until applicability and value of discount types for an order are determined. As such, the rule engine can be viewed as a recursive rule program that calls upon itself. FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts of the processes of the rule engine as a recursive rule program. In some embodiments, the processes of the rule engine described in relation to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 comprise step 235 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a general discount determination method 600 for a purchase order. FIG. 6 is described in relation to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8. The general discount method 600 begins by identifying (at 601) product information (determined at step 225 of FIG. 2) and purchase order information (received at steps 230 and 240 of FIG. 2). The method 600 then identifies (at 602) one or more sets of rules for processing (received at step 210 of FIG. 2) including one or more sets of primary rules and one or more sets of secondary rules (as illustrated in FIG. 4).

The method 600 then sets (at 604) the total discount value to equal zero and sets (at 605) a current set of primary rules (associated with a current discount type) to be processed. The method 600 calls (at 610) a recursive discount applicability method and passes the product and purchase order information and the current set of primary rules (for the current discount type) to the recursive discount applicability method. As discussed below in relation to FIGS. 7 and 8, the recursive discount applicability method 700 processes primary rules to determine applicability of the current discount type and calls a recursive discount value method 800 that processes secondary rules to determine the value of the current discount type.

The method 600 then receives (step 615) a status of the current discount type (as an applicable or non-applicable discount type) and a value of the current discount type if applicable. The method 600 sets (at 620) the total discount value to equal the total discount value plus the received discount value of the current discount type, the total discount value reflecting the total discount value of all applicable discount types for the purchase order.

The method then checks (at 625) if there are more sets of primary rules to be processed. If so, the method sets (at 630) a next set of primary rules as a current set of primary rules for a current discount type and continues at step 610. If not, the method ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a recursive discount applicability method 700 called (at step 610 of FIG. 6) by the general discount method 600. When the general discount method 600 calls the discount applicability method 700, the general discount method 600 also passes the product and purchase order information and the current set of primary rules (for the current discount type) to the discount applicability method 700.

The method 70 then sets (at 705) a current primary rule in the set of primary rules. Using the product information and/or order information, the method 700 determines (at 710) whether the current primary rule applies (i.e., whether the antecedent/qualification of the current rule is true). For example, if the antecedent of the current primary rule is (ProductAQuantity≧10), the method uses the order information (which contains the value for ProductAQuantity) to determine whether the antecedent is true. If the method determines that the antecedent is not met (at 710—No), the method then determines (at 715) whether there are more rules in the set of primary rules to process. If so, the method sets (at 720) a next rule in the set as the current rule. If not, the method returns (at 725) to the general discount method 600 a status of the current discount type as being a non-applicable discount type for the purchase order.

If the method determines that the antecedent of the current rule is met (at 710—Yes), the method then determines (at 730) if the inference of the current rule comprises a numerical value only. If not, this indicates that, although the inference may contain one or more numerical values, the inference also contains at least one new set of primary rules to be processed and resolved to determine a numerical value to replace/substitute the new set of primary rules in the inference. As such, the method loads (at 735) the new set of primary rules (which is identified by the rule inference) and recurses/calls the method 700 (at 740) to process the new set of primary rules. The current primary rule that recurses/calls the method 700 at this point (at 740) is referred to as the calling rule.

If the method determines (at 730—Yes) that the inference of the current rule comprises a numerical value only, the method then determines (at 745) if the inference of the current rule comprises a discount type identification number (DiscountTypeID#). If not, this indicates that the numerical value of the inference is a value required by a calling rule that is used to replace a set of rules in the inference of the calling rule. As such, the method returns (at 750) the numerical value of the inference to the calling rule. This returns the method to step 752 (the step after the calling rule recursed the method 700) where the numerical value is received and placed (at 752) into the inference of the calling rule, the numerical value substituting a set of rules in the inference of the calling rule.

If the method determines (at 745—Yes) that the inference of the current rule comprises a discount type identification number (e.g., where the inference comprises DiscountTypeID#=“10001”), this indicates that the current discount type is applicable and is associated with the determined discount type identification number (e.g., 10001). As such, the method loads (at 755) a set of secondary rules identified by the discount type identification number in the inference. For example, if the inference DiscountTypeID#=“10001” is determined, the DiscountTypeID#10001 set of secondary rules is loaded.

The method then calls (at 760) the recursive discount value method 800 and passes product and purchase order information and the loaded set of secondary rules (for the current discount type) to the recursive discount value method 800. As discussed below in relation to FIG. 8, the recursive discount value method 700 processes secondary rules to determine the discount value of the current discount type. As such, the method 700 receives (at 765) the discount value for the current discount type from the recursive discount value method 800. The method then returns (at 770) to the general discount method 600 a status of the current discount type as being an applicable discount type for the purchase order and the discount value for current discount type.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a recursive discount value method 800 called (at step 760 of FIG. 7) by the recursive discount applicability method 700. When the discount applicability method 700 calls the discount value method 800, the discount applicability method 700 also passes product and purchase order information and a current set of secondary rules (for the current discount type) to the discount value method 800.

The method 800 then sets (at 805) a current secondary rule in the set of secondary rules. The method 800 determines (at 810) whether the current secondary rule applies (i.e., whether the antecedent/qualification of the current rule is true). If the method determines that the antecedent is not met (at 810—No), the method then determines (at 815) whether there are more rules in the set of secondary rules to process. If so, the method sets (at 820) a next rule in the set as the current rule. If not, the method returns (at 825) to the recursive discount applicability method 700 a discount value equal to zero for the current discount type.

If the method determines that the antecedent of the current rule is met (at 810—Yes), the method then determines (at 830) if the inference of the current rule comprises a numerical value only. If not, this indicates that, although the inference may contain one or more numerical values, the inference also contains at least one new set of secondary rules to be processed and resolved (to determine a numerical value to replace/substitute the new set of secondary rules in the inference). As such, the method loads (at 835) the new set of secondary rules (identified by the rule inference) and recurses/calls the method 800 (at 840) to process the new set of secondary rules. The current secondary rule that recurses/calls the method 800 at this point (at 840) is referred to as the calling rule.

If the method determines (at 830—Yes) that the inference of the current rule comprises a numerical value only, the method then determines (at 845) if the inference of the current rule comprises a discount value (DiscountValue). If not, this indicates that the numerical value of the inference is a value required by a calling rule. As such, the method returns (at 850) the numerical value of the inference to the calling rule. This returns the method to step 852 (the step after the calling rule recursed the method 800) where the numerical value is received and placed (at 852) into the inference of the calling rule, the numerical value substituting a set of rules in the inference of the calling rule.

If the method determines (at 845—Yes) that the inference of the current rule comprises a discount value, this indicates the discount value for the current discount type. As such, the method then returns (at 855) to the recursive discount applicability method 700 the discount value for current discount type.

As an example illustration of the process of the recursive discount value method 800, suppose that the discount identification number determined by the discount applicability method 700 is 10001 (DiscountTypeID#=10001) and that the loaded set of secondary rules for DiscountTypeID#10001 comprises:

-   -   (DiscountTypeID#=10001)---->DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice”     -   Amount set of rules:         -   ((DiscountTypeID#=10001) AND             (“ProductAQuantity”>2))---->Amount=“2”

The method 800 sets (at 805) the first rule in the set ((DiscountTypeID#=10001)---->DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice”) as the current rule. The method then determines (at 810) that the antecedent of the current rule is true (since the discount identification number was previously determined to be 10001). As such, the method then determines (at 830) if the inference of the current rule comprises a numerical value only. This is determined not to be true since the inference contains Amount which is not a numerical value and indicates a new set of rules.

The method then loads (at 835) the Amount set of secondary rules and recurses/calls the method 800 to process the Amount set of secondary rules. The Amount set of rules comprises only one rule (((DiscountTypeID#=10001) AND (“ProductAQuantity”>2))---->Amount=“2”) that, upon recursion of the method 800, is set (at 805) as the current rule. For illustrative purposes, suppose that the user wishes to order twelve items of product A (ProductAQuantity=12), which can be determined from the order information. The method 800 then determines (at 810) that the antecedent of the current rule is met. The method 800 also determines (at 830) that the inference is a numerical value only (“2”) and determines (at 845) that the inference does not comprise a discount value. As such, the method returns the numerical value (“2”) to the calling rule ((DiscountTypeID#=10001)---->DiscountValue=Amount×“ProductAUnitPrice”).

This returns the method to step 852 where the numerical value “2” is received and placed into the inference of the calling rule (to substitute Amount), thereby producing an inference of: DiscountValue=“2”×“ProductAUnitPrice.” The method then determines (at 830) that the inference of the current rule is a numerical value only since (“2”×“ProductAUnitPrice”) is equal to a numerical value since “ProductAUnitPrice” is a known value determined from the product information. The method also determines (at 845) that the inference comprises a discount value (DiscountValue). As such, the method returns (at 855) to the recursive discount applicability method 700 the discount value (“2”×“ProductAUnitPrice”) for the current discount type.

Server-Side Determination of Discounts Using Rule-Based Approach

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for an alternative client-side method 900 for automatically determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by a server connected with the client computer using a rule-based approach. The client-side method 900 may be implemented, for example, by a client computer and an application executing on the client computer, the client computer and application receiving input from a user. In some embodiments, the application is configured to perform the methods of the present invention.

The method 900 begins when it establishes (at 905) a connection (e.g., via a network) with a server to which the order is being sent. The method then receives (at 910) a coupon code from a user and sends the coupon code to the server. As an optional step, the method receives (at 915) product information from the server. The method 900 then identifies (at 925) available product information where the product information may be received (at 915) from the server or be contained in the application executing on the client computer.

The method then receives (at 930) purchase order information from the user. The method determines (at 935) if a purchase order confirmation has been received from the user. If not, the method continues at step 930 where it receives purchase order information from the user. If so, the method sends (at 940) the purchase order information to the server. The method then ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for an alternative server-side method 1000 for automatically (without human intervention) determining applicability and value of any discount types for a purchase order made from a client computer, the determinations being made by a server connected with the client computer using a rule-based approach. The server-side method 1000 may be implemented, for example, by a server computer connected with the client computer and a client-management application executing on the server computer. In some embodiments, the client-management application is configured to perform the methods of the present invention.

The method 1000 begins when it establishes (at 1005) a connection (e.g., via a network) with a client computer from which the order is received. The method then receives (at 1010) a coupon code from the client computer and, at step 1015, retrieves (e.g., from a storage structure of the server computer) one or more sets of rule programming instructions (associated with one or more discount types) based on the coupon code. The set(s) of rule programming instructions comprise a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising one or more sets of rules and a processing relationship between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules. In some embodiments, the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program implemented by rule programming.

As an optional step, the method 1000 sends (at 1020) product information to the client computer. The method loads (at 1030) the retrieved set(s) of coupon programming instructions and identifies (at 1035) available product information. The method then receives (at 1040) purchase order information from the client computer.

Using the retrieved set(s) of rule programming instructions and the product and purchase order information, the method then determines (at 1045) applicability of any discount types for the order and the value of any such applicable discounts by applying the rule engine to the product and order information. In some embodiments, the processes of the rule engine described in relation to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 comprise step 1045 of FIG. 10. The method then ends.

FIG. 11 presents a computer system 1100 with which some embodiments of the invention are implemented. In some embodiments, a client computer and/or server computer comprises the computer system 1100. The computer system 1100 includes a bus 1105, a processor 1110, a system memory 1115, a read-only memory 1120, a permanent storage device 1125, input devices 1130, and output devices 1135.

The bus 1105 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of the computer system 1100. For instance, the bus 1105 communicatively connects the processor 1110 with the read-only memory 1120, the system memory 1115, and the permanent storage device 1125.

The read-only-memory (ROM) 1120 stores static data and instructions that are needed by the processor 1110 and other modules of the computer system. The permanent storage device 1125, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the computer system 1100 is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as the permanent storage device 1125. Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk or Zip® disk, and its corresponding disk drive) as the permanent storage device.

Like the permanent storage device 1125, the system memory 1115 is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 1125, the system memory is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). The system memory stores some of the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime.

In some embodiments, instructions and/or data needed to perform methods of the present invention are stored in the system memory 1115, the permanent storage device 1125, the read-only memory 1120, or any combination of the three. For example, the various memory units may contain coupon programming instructions and/or data relating to product and/or order information. From these various memory units, the processor 1110 retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of the present invention.

The bus 1105 also connects to the input and output devices 1130 and 1135. The input devices 1130 enable a user to communicate information and select commands to the computer system 1100. For instance, the input devices 1130 enable the user to communicate order information to the computer system 1100. The input devices 1130 include alphanumeric keyboards and cursor-controllers. The output devices 1135 display images generated by the computer system 1100. For instance, these devices display a user interface (e.g., graphical user interface) through which the user can interface with the computer system 1100. The output devices include printers and display devices, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD).

Finally, as shown in FIG. 11, the bus 1105 also couples the computer system 1100 to a network 1165 through, for example, a network adapter (not shown). In this manner, the computer system 1100 can be a part of a network of computers (such as a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet) or a network of networks (such as the Internet). Any or all of the components of the computer system 1100 may be used in conjunction with the present invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any other system configuration may also be used in conjunction with the present invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims. 

1. A method for placing an online purchase order, the method comprising: at a client computer through which a user enters the purchase order and from which the purchase order originates, downloading programming instructions from a server computer connected with the client computer through a network, the programming instructions for determining applicability of a discount type and a discount value relating to the discount type for the purchase order to be sent back to the server computer in order to complete the online purchase order; at the client computer, executing the downloaded programming instructions to determine applicability of the discount type and the discount value associated with the purchase order, said determining done automatically at the client computer without human intervention and without receiving further instructions from the server computer; and at the client computer, sending discount information comprising the discount value associated with the purchase order that is determined at the client computer to the server computer through the network in order to complete the online purchase order.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: before downloading the programming instructions, sending a coupon code to the server computer, wherein downloading the programming instructions comprises downloading programming instructions associated with the coupon code.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, before executing the downloaded programming instructions: from the user, receiving order information associated with the order; and from the server computer, receiving product information associated with the purchase order, wherein executing the programming instructions to determine the applicability of the discount type comprises applying the downloaded programming instructions to the product and order information.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloaded programming instructions are further for determining a total discount value for all applicable discount types, the method further comprising executing the downloaded programming instructions to determine the total discount value associated with the purchase order.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloaded programming instructions are further for determining a discount value for each of a plurality of applicable discount types, the method further comprising executing the downloaded programming instructions to determine a total discount value for the plurality of applicable discount types associated with the purchase order.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein: the programming instructions comprise a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising a set of rules and a processing relationship between a plurality of rules in the set of rules; and executing the downloaded programming instructions comprises applying the rule engine to product and order information to determine applicability of the discount type and a discount value when the discount type is applicable to the order.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program, wherein resolution of a first rule requires resolution of a second rule, wherein the recursive rule program performs an automatic process that recursively calls itself.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the set of rules comprises a primary set of rules and a secondary set of rules; said primary set of rules is used to determine applicability of the discount type; and said secondary set of rules is used to determine a discount value for the discount type, the secondary set of rules being called for processing if the discount type is determined to be applicable.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: a rule in the set of rules comprises an antecedent and an inference, the inference being determined if the antecedent is determined as true; an inference is a numerical value or a set of rules; and the rule engine recursively evaluates rules in the primary set of rules to determine inferences until an inference that is a numerical value indicating an applicable discount type is found.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein: a rule in the set of rules comprises an antecedent and an inference, the inference being determined if the antecedent is determined as true; an inference is a numerical value or a set of rules; and the rule engine recursively evaluates rules in the secondary set of rules to determine inferences until an inference that is a numerical value indicating a discount value for an applicable discount type is found.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloading, executing, and sending are performed by a multimedia application or a web browser executing on the client computer.
 12. A method for determining applicability of one or more discount types for an online purchase order, the method comprising: at a set of server computers connected to a client computer through a network, receiving information related to the online purchase order from the client computer; sending programming instructions from the set of server computers to the client computer for (i) execution at the client computer (i) to determine applicability of the one or more discount types and (ii) to determine discount values for any applicable discount types for the order, said execution of the programming instructions allowing the client computer to send, to the set of server computers, discount information comprising applicability of the discount types and the discount values associated with the purchase order; and receiving the discount information associated with the purchase order at the set of server computers from the client computer.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: before sending the programming instructions, receiving a coupon code from the client computer; and retrieving the programming instructions based on the coupon code.
 14. A method for determining applicability of a discount type at a client computer, the discount type for an online purchase order, the method comprising: at a client computer from which the purchase order originates: receiving information associated with the purchase order, said information received from a human without going through a network; downloading a rule engine and a plurality of rules associated with the purchase order from a set of server computers communicatively coupled to the client computer through a network, said rule engine comprising a recursive engine that recursively evaluates a first set of rules for determining the applicability of the discount type and recursively evaluates a second set of rules for determining a discount value related to the applicable discount type for the online purchase order, the recursive engine recursively evaluating the first and second sets of rules by performing an automatic process that recursively calls itself; without receiving further instructions from the set of server computers, determining the applicability of the discount type and the discount value by applying said rule engine, said determining comprising, automatically and without human intervention, applying at least one rule to the information in order to determine the applicability of the discount type and the discount value; and sending discount information associated with the online purchase order from the client computer to the set of server computers through the network, the discount information comprising the applicability of the discount type and the discount value determined at the client computer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the discount type is a first discount type and the discount value is a first discount value, the method further comprising applying the rule engine, at the client computer without receiving further instructions from the set of server computers, to determine applicability of a second discount type and to determine a second discount value associated with the second discount type upon determining that the second discount type applies to the order.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the rule engine comprises one or more sets of rules and processing relationships between the sets of rules and the rules in each set of rules.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein resolution of a first rule by the rule engine requires resolution of a second rule.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein: a rule in a set of rules comprises an antecedent and an inference, the inference being determined if the antecedent is determined as true; an inference is a numerical value or a particular set of rules; and the rule engine evaluates rules in the particular set of rules to determine inferences until an inference that is a numerical value indicating an applicable discount type or a discount value is found.
 19. A computer readable medium storing a computer program which when executed places an online purchase order, the computer program for execution by a client device from which the purchase order originates, the computer program comprising: a set of instructions for downloading, at the client device, programming instructions for determining applicability of a discount type for the purchase order, the programming instructions being downloaded from a set of server computers connected to the client device through a network; a set of instructions for executing said downloaded programming instructions to determine the applicability of the discount type to the purchase order such that for multiple changes to the purchase order said programming instructions are executed at the client device multiple times to determine the applicability of the discount type without requiring new programming instructions to be downloaded through the network, said determining automatically done without human intervention and without downloading further instructions from the set of server computers; a set of instructions for receiving changes to the purchase order; a set of instructions for executing said downloaded programming instructions to determine the applicability of the discount type to the changed purchase order without downloading new programming instructions through the network; and a set of instructions for placing the online purchase order to the set of server computers through the network in accordance with the applicability of the discount type determined at the client device.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the downloaded programming instructions are further for determining a discount value for each of a plurality of applicable discount types, wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions for executing the downloaded programming instructions to determine the discount value for each of the plurality of applicable discount types without downloading further instructions from the set of server computers.
 21. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein: the programming instructions comprise a rule engine implemented by rule programming, the rule engine comprising a set of rules and a processing relationship between a plurality of rules in the set of rules; and executing the downloaded programming instructions comprises applying the rule engine to product and order information associated with the purchase order to determine applicability of the discount type and to determine a discount value when the discount type is applicable to the order.
 22. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program, wherein resolution of a first rule requires resolution of a second rule, wherein the recursive rule program performs an automatic process that recursively calls itself.
 23. A computer readable medium storing a computer program which when executed determines applicability of a discount type at a client computer, the discount type for an online purchase order, the computer program comprising: a set of instructions for receiving information associated with the purchase order, said information received from a user at the client computer without going through a network; a set of instructions for receiving rule programming associated with the purchase order from a set of servers communicatively coupled to the client computer through a network, said rule programming comprising a plurality of rules for determining the applicability of the discount type for the online purchase order to be sent to the set of servers for completing the purchase order; a set of instructions for executing the received rule programming to determine the applicability of the discount type, said determining comprising automatically applying at least one rule to the information in order to determine the applicability of the discount type without human intervention and without receiving further instructions from the set of servers; and a set of instructions for sending discount information associated with the online purchase order to the set of servers through the network to complete the purchase order, the discount information comprising the applicability of the discount type determined by executing the rule programming.
 24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the rule programming comprises a rule engine comprising (i) one or more sets of rules, (ii) processing relationships among the sets of rules and (iii) processing relationships among the rules in each set of rules.
 25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the rule engine comprises a recursive rule program, wherein the recursive rule program performs an automatic process that recursively calls itself.
 26. The method of claim 14 further comprising sending a coupon code from the client computer at which the purchase order originates to the set of server computers through the network.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said downloading the rule engine comprises downloading a set of rules associated with the coupon code sent to the set of server computers.
 28. The method of claim 14, wherein said method is performed by a multimedia application that executes on said client computer.
 29. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for managing multimedia at a client device, said computer program executable by at least one processor, the computer program comprising: a set of instructions for establishing an interface (i) for exchanging data related to an online purchase order with a set of servers through a network, (ii) for downloading a rule engine for evaluating a set of potential discounts for a purchase order from at least one of the servers, and (iii) for submitting the online purchase order to at least one of the set of servers; a set of instructions for downloading the rule engine for evaluating a set of rules in order to determine whether a particular discount of the set of potential discounts applies to the purchase order, the rule engine for determining applicability of a discount type to the purchase order and a discount value related to the discount type for the purchase order at the client device without receiving further rules from the set of servers; and a set of instructions for determining the applicability of the discount type and the discount value by applying said rule engine, said determining comprising automatically applying at least one rule to the purchase order in order to determine the applicability of the discount type and the discount value without human intervention and without downloading further instructions from the set of servers, wherein said rule engine comprises a set of instructions for providing a recursive engine that recursively evaluates a first set of rules in order to determine the applicability of the discount type to the purchase order and recursively evaluates a second set of rules in order to determine a discount value related to the applicable discount type for the purchase order, wherein the recursive engine recursively evaluates the sets of rules by performing an automatic process that recursively calls itself.
 30. A computer readable medium of a server device storing a computer program executable by at least one processor, the computer program comprising: a set of instructions for receiving, from a client device, data that identifies at least one discount for an online purchase order; a set of instructions for retrieving, based on the received data, programming instructions for determining applicability of a particular identified discount; a set of instructions for sending said programming instructions to the client device, said programming instructions for execution at said client device to determine applicability of the particular identified discount to multiple purchase orders without receiving further programming instructions from the server device; and a set of instructions for receiving discount information from the client device, said discount information comprising the applicability of the particular identified discount determined at the client device.
 31. The computer readable medium of claim 30, wherein said data comprises a coupon code.
 32. The computer readable medium of claim 30, wherein the purchase order originates at the client device.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the determination is made automatically without human intervention.
 34. A computer readable medium storing a computer program executable by at least one processor, the computer program comprising: a set of instructions for sending, to a server through a network, data relating to at least one discount relating to an online purchase order; a set of instructions for receiving programming instructions from the server through the network, said programming instructions for determining (i) whether a particular discount applies to the online purchase order and (ii) a discount value for the particular discount upon determining that the particular discount applies; and a set of instructions for executing the programming instructions to determine whether the particular discount applies to the online purchase order, and when the particular discount applies, to determine a discount value for the particular discount without receiving further instructions from the server, wherein said sending, receiving, and executing are done at a computer from which the online purchase order originates.
 35. The computer readable medium of claim 34, wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions for placing the online purchase order in accordance with the discount value determined at the computer at which the purchase order originates.
 36. A method comprising: receiving a coupon code for an online purchase order at a server device from a client device; based on the received coupon code, retrieving a set of rules that when processed by a rule engine at the client device allows the client device to (i) determine whether a discount should be applied to the online purchase order and (ii) determine a value of any applicable discount associated with the online purchase order; sending said rule engine and said set of rules from the server device to the client device for using said rule engine at the client device to determine discount applicability and the value of any applicable discount associated with the online purchase order; and receiving purchase order information and discount information at the server device from the client device, said discount information comprising discount applicability and the value of any applicable discount determined at the client device.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the received coupon code identifies said discount.
 38. The method of claim 1, wherein the programming instructions are transmitted across the Internet from the server to the client computer, and wherein the online purchase order is placed across the Internet from the client computer.
 39. The method of claim 12, wherein the information related to the online purchase order and the discount information are transmitted across the Internet from the client computer to the set of server computers, and wherein the programming instructions are transmitted across the Internet from the set of server computers to the client computer. 